Expansion-link catch-hook and clasp.



C. L. D'EPOLLIER. EXPANSION LINK CATCH HOOK AND CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2, 1913.

1,088,550. A Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

WITNESSES O. L. DEPOLLIER.

EXPANSION LINK CATCH HOOK AND CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2, 1913.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

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CHARLES I. DEPOLLIER, 0F NEW YORK, Y.

EXPANSION-LINK CATCH-HOOK AND CLASP.

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To all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES L. Duroni v LIER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in EX- pansion-Link Catch-Hooks and Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention in expansion link catch hooks is directed more particularly to jewelry, and to that class involving link mechanism particularly expansible link bracelets. Germane to the construction of bracelets of this character, my invention involves the eX- pansible link mechanism in providing not only the contractible and expansible link connections between several links of the involved structure,y butI a terminal catch hook fastening and clasp therefor, whereby the links may be united and locked together with the greatest of facility, while the securing of the coupling and locking device against accident-al displacement is assured.

lThe object of my invention is to provide an expansion link catch hook and clasp therefor, whereby, the coupling together of the link and a ring or bow, connected with another article of jewelry, a pendant, or another similar link may be effected with the greatest of facility, while at the saine time, the utmost of security is afforded, as well as simplicity in construction and neatness i1i design is attainable.

'lhe features which characterize my invention, whereby the objects thereof are secured, are disclosed in the drawings and correlativo appended descriptive matter, forming part of this specification, while the novelty thereof is pointed out in the concluding claims thereof. A

With reference to the drawings: Figure l is-an enlarged sectional elevational view of one of my improved expansion link catchliooks and clasps, taken on the line fle-l of Fig. 4, and illust-rating the expansion link in a contracted condition, and the catch hook and clasp therefor, shown in an engaged, and relatively disengaged condition; the latter being indicated `by broken lines. ln this view, have indicated, fragmentarily, the engagement of additional elements, coupled with the link terminal, as well as the manner of coupling an element with the opposite terminal, as afforded by the catch hook and clasp. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the expansion link catch hook and Specification of Letters Patent.

' Application led July 2, 1,913. Serial No. 776,990.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

clasp in an extended condition, together with a fragment of the outline of the surface upon which the catch hook normally rests when iii use, as indicated by the curved broken line F ig. 3 is a similar view to that of Fig. 2, illustrating the catch hook q its resting surface. Fig. 5 is a plan view,

taken from the opposite side thereof.

ln the several figures, similar characters of reference designate like or the same parts throughout where they occur, wherein,

l refers to an expansion link, which is composed of longitudinally curved lateral link plates 2 and 3 laterally spaced parallel by a shouldered stud 4t, engaging the corresponding ends 5 of each of the said plates, and an integral lug 6 bent up at right angles from the plate 2 at the opposite end 7 thereof, and secured to the corresponding end 8 .Of the plate 3, together with an inclosed sliding link 9, housed between the link plates 2 and 3, and a similarly inclosed expansion spring 10.

The link plates 2 and 3 are of similar construction and formation, and are each provided with a longitudinally disposed and centrally located rectangularly grooved guide-way l1, having a similar curvature to that of the said link plate. This guide-way is formed by a milling, or other suitable similar operation, by cutting into the inner surface fronithe end 7 and the end 8 of each of the link plates 2 and 3 and extending the cut along the said link plates for substantially three quarters of the length thereof, whereby, the guide-ways 1l in each of the plates 2 and 3, are brought opposite to each other when the said link plates are assembled, providing at the one end, an entrance to the said guide-way, and at the other, a terminus or stop, common to each of the link plates 2 and 3. Prior to the formation of the integral lug 6 however, by bending the said lug up at right angles from the end 7 of the plate 2, the integral lug 6 will take the place of the end 7 during the operation of forming the guide-way lli. in conselli) quence thereof, the lug 6, when bent up at right angles, has a notch 12,'corresponding to the guide-way 11.

The sliding link 9 is formed preferably of a bent strip of flat wire, folded about a guide-pin 13, to provide two laterally spaced parallel longitudinally curved walls 14 and 15. The former terminates abruptly, slightly beyond the lug 6, while the latter extends sufliciently beyond this point, to provide the necessary material for the formation of an eye 16, which latter is formed by the operation of bending the wire, of which the link 9 is formed, about a pin, as for example, 17. After the eye 16 has been suitably formed, it is secured to the wall 15, by soldering the free end thereof to the wall, as designated at 18. Opposite to this soldered joint 18, and on the exterior of the eye 16, the free end of the wall 14 is secured, by a solderedjoint 19. The guide-pin 13 is secured intermediately and transversely to the inner end wall of the sliding link 9, by a soldered joint 20. This pin has suflicient length to traverse the sliding link 9 and bottom in the guide-way 11 of each of the' link plates 2 and 3, and is of a diameter essential to the provision of a sliding running fit inthe said guide-way 11.

Thrusting between the guide-pin 13 Aand the integral lug 6, is the expansion spring 10. The oiice of this spring is to thrust the guide-pin 13 in al direction away from the lug 6, until the said guide-pin is brought to a stop by abutting the terminal of the guide-way 11 in each of the link plates 2 and 3, carrying with it, the sliding link 9, and at the same time, bringing the eye 16 into abutment with the integral lug 6. The link plates 2 and 3 are cross-connected'and laterally spaced by a bridge 21 in addition to the support aHorded by the shouldered stud 4 and integral lug 6. The bridge 2l rises vertically over the sliding link 9, and is integrally connected with, and projecting from the corresponding edges of the link plates 2 and 3 substantially midway of the length thereof. This comprises lateral walls 22 and 23, and an outer wall 24. The walls 22 and 23 are integrally connected with the outer wall 24, which latter is longitudinally and intermediately slotted, to provide a guide-way 25. This has its entrance at a 4mouth 26, and its terminus at a stop 27. The bridge 21, comprising the lateral walls 22 and 23, and the outer wall 24, is positioned in the manner| of an arch over the sliding link 9 and the link plates 2 and 3, and may be connected with the latter by either soldering them together, or by forming the said link plates together with the bridge from a single strip or blank, and subjecting the said strip or blank to the necessary operations in a punch and die-press, to blank the plates 2 and 3, as well as the bridge 21,

and longitudinally and intermediately fold or bend the resultant blank to the required formation, which will bring the link plates 2 and 3 parallel with each other, and at the same time, give the proper formation to the bridge 21, in order that it may be spaced from and arched over the link 9.

Pivoted to a pin 17, which is passed through the eye 16 of the link 9, is a catchhook 28. This is provided with a laterally spaced pair of integral ears 29, and fitted to telescopically engage the ends of the walls 14 and 15 of the link 9, adjacent to the eye 16 whereby freedom of motion during the oscillation of the hook 28 and the ears 29, upon the pin 17 is afforded. The catchhook 28 takes a bent formation from the integral ears 29 in a direction toward the line of Fig. 2, to form a loop 30, from whence it is nextended, and curved downwardly, to pass under the bridge 21, and beyond the stop 27 thereof. The free end of the hook 28 has an integral jaw 31, which rises vertically to engage and abut the stop 27, and of a heightwhich 'will enable it to pass slidingly under the bridge 21, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

The operation of my improved expansion link catch-hook and clasp is effected by pulling the hook 28 in the direction of the dart, indicated in Fig. 1, until the said hock assumes the position depicted in F ig. 2, when the jaw 31 shall have been brought abruptly against the stop 27. The effect of this arrests any further movement in the expansion of the device, until the hook 28 is swung by its ears 29 upon the pin 17 in a direction to 'bring the jaw under the bridge 21, whereupon, continuing the extension, the said jaw may be brought to avposition beyond the bridge 21 and swung away therefrom by swinging the hook 28 upon the pin 17 and relaxing the tension, or by pulling upon the said hook, until it assumes thev position as indicated by the broken lines of Fig. 1.

lVith the hook 28 thus unclasped or disengaged from the bridge 21, an article of jewelry, as for example, a ring or bow, or other coupling member, may be introduced to the loop 30 by passing it under the hook 28. This is effected by positioning the coupling member upon the bridge 21 and across the guide or slot 25 thereof and under the jaw 31, and by a sliding movement, posi-' tioning it between the ears 29 and the end 'i of the loop 30, as depicted in the broken line fragmentary view of the coupling member and the hook 28. After the coupling member, or other article has been thus posijaw-31, with respect to the bridge 21, the hook 28 is subjected to a strain at the loop 30, whereby it assumes the characteristic of a spring, which gives it an upward thrust and upon releasing the tension by passing the jaw inward beyond the bridge, the said jaw will be thrust upwardly into the guide or slot 25. Upon further relaxation of the tension on the hook 28, the latter becomes engaged with the end of the wall 24 of the bridge 21, while the opposite surface thereof toward the end thereof, and under the jaw 31 bears against the wall 15 of the link 9. After the article of jewelry or coupling member has been introduced to the loop 30, of the hook 28, any pull upon the same, subjecting it to tension, in a direction as indicated by the dart in Fig. 1, thrusts the outer surface of the hook 28 against the adjacent surface of the end of the wall 24 of the bridge 21, causing the jaw 31 to engage the stop 27 in the manner of a clasp, thereby securely guarding against the dislodgment or uncoupling of the hook 28 and the article with which it is engaged at the loop 30. 0n the other hand, upon relaxing the tension upon the catch-hook 28 and reversing the direction of the coupling member or article of jewelry, in order to dislodge it from the loop 30, and bring it to a position between the hook 28 and link 9 over the wall 15 thereof, the said hook will become jammed by virtue of its engagement with the opposing wall 24 of the bridge 21; hence, dislodgment in this direction, of the said article, would be obviated.

Expansion and contraction of my imroved expansion link catch-hook is effected y the action of the spring 10 taking its thrust against the guide-pin 13 secured to the link 9 at one end of the said spring, while the other end thereof takes its thrust against the integral lug 6 carried by the link plate 2, which slides freely within the link 9. The eHect of pulling upon the shouldered stud 4, by a connected link, or other device, and the loop 30 in opposite directions, ex ands the link and the spring 10 becomes su jected to compression, the lug 6 and guide-pin- 13 moving toward each other, compressing the spring in the meanwhile, and the reaction thereof, upon releasing the tension on the structure, permits the expansion of the spring and the resultant contraction of the links with respect t0 each other.

It will be understood by the preceding description of my invention that the same provides an expansion link catch-hook and clasp which permits of the coupling together' of another similar link, coupling member, or a ring or bow, connected .with an article of jewelry with the greatest of facility and ease of manipulation, while at the same'time the utmost of security is afforded. Moreover, it is evident that the device is of simple and durable construction, and conduces, in addition, to variety in artistic opportunities, and

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the U. S.

1. An expansion link catch hook of the character described comprising a pair of link plates laterally spaced parallel to each other, a slotted integral bridge above and. connecting 'the pair of link plates, a longitudinally inclosed sliding link between said plates adapted to play therebetween, said sliding link formed with an eye at one end thereof, a catch hook pivotally secured t0 and carried by the sliding link, provided with a terminal jaw, said bridge being provided with a stop adapted to engage with said jaw, and a spring located within said link adapted to thrust against the sliding link and link plates in the contraction of the link structure, substantially as described.

2. An expansion link catch-hook and clasp therefor, comprising a pair 'of link plates, laterally spaced parallel to each other, a slotted bridge. connecting the two, a sliding link located between the said link plates and adapted to play therebetween, a spring within the said link, pressing between the link plates and the said sliding link, an eye at one extremity of the said sliding link, a catch-hook pivotally secured to the eye, provided with a terminal jaw, said jaw being adapted to engage the said bridge.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES L. DEPOLLIER.

Witnesses:

W. F. LENCHTMANN, F. E. TIETZMANN. 

